I have had from new an 06 MCS JCW with stock suspension.(non JCW) I have intended to get the FSD's from the beginning but kind of wanted to get my $ worth out of the stock set up which with 30,000 miles, I think I have done. Its time to pull the trigger. I don't want the yellows (mine's a daily driver, non track) and I intend to keep the runflats. In fact, I just got a set of Kuhmo Ecsta stp xrp's.
My question is, what else would it be prudent to replace while the shop is working on the shocks. Specfically, I've seen mentions of weak MINI bushings. I'm not too car tech savy but I think the bushings which I recall, Alta, for one, has a good replacement. What I don't recall is which bushings are being referred to. Aside from probably being a good idea to replace, how long do the original bushings last.
The idea is; I don't want to skip it now just to have to replace them in 10,000 miles from now.
What else do you folks think I should have done while the shop is on the shocks(dampers)?

 

Only 30K on the stock setup? I think you have another 60K or more on the stock setup. You might think about a set of TSW Springs to gain some better cornering on a daily driver they work well and only lower the front about .75 and the rear almost an inch. Without knowing more of your desires it's hard to say for sure you "need" new shocks. If you need an installer outside of the dealer, check out my site for just south of you at the state line.

 

+1 for FSDs on a daily driver. Depending on road conditions, the OEM front top strut mounts tend to be mushroomed if not torn. Though your sig indicates m7 srps, you may be ok. The fixed camber plates from IE use a beefier strut mount (from a heavier car) mounted to a thick plate. Check my gallery for a side by side pic. If the outside shoulder on the front tires are wearing out first, definitely get thee fixed camber plates from Ireland Engineering. or if you are leery of additional negative camber, you can request a one-off for stock camber.

Stock springs, Koni FSDs, and IE fixed plares are my setup. And on these mean streets, I've been enjoying the ride and cornering grip.

 

I think at the mileage your car has the bushings will be fine. Have the installer look at things while he is doing the install. If he finds a bad one have it replaced. I bet everything is fine under there. In fact your struts & shocks should still be good too. A change to the FSD Koni's will give you a nicer ride. Lots of folks like them.

I've heard good things about the TSW springs. Lowering .75 front & an inch in rear doesn't seem like much, but if it's your daily drive & winter car that loss of clearance may may or may not make a difference to you. Something to consider.

 

Thanks for the tips guys!

 

Same here plus Powerflex LCA bushings on the '03 MCS. Ride and handling are nice.

 

Just Add the FSD's at this time. they are a rather soft shock to start with them tighten up so the sport feeling will be better, as will as your day to day. but do not add springs with the FSD's as this will end up blowing out the shock in no time flat. this shock is designed to be used with the stock springs.

as for the control arm bushings, they will fail at some point, but for now i would leave them. unless they have failed already. it's a lot more work to change them and your not going to save yourself much labor if any by doing them at the same time.

Chad
Detroit Tuned

 

Agokart,

On the Detroit Tuned website it says that you have been using the FSD shocks with H-Sport springs with no problems. Has this changed? Thanks.

 

yes it has. our site is a bit out of date today. we have a whole new site about to launch! give us a call if you have any questions. we have these in stock. i'll go fix the page.

Chad

 

Get a set of either fixed or adjustable camber plates. 2 benefits.....adds some needed front camber and will help protect the strut towers from mushrooming.

 

+1 on the IE fixed camber plates. I just got my FSDs installed with IE fixed camber plates, along with H-Sports springs, and an Eibach rear sway bar. So far, I'm loving every turn I take.

 

So are there no options for lowering with the FSD? When I had my 2nd generation Nissan SE-R, you could install shocks for a 1st generation models and it would give you a 1" drop without reducing shock travel. I wonder if there is a different FSD that would do the same on a MINI? Is there a FSD replacement shock for those that have the JCW suspension? BTW, how much of a drop do the JCW springs give?

 

Pleanty of ppl run fsds with lowering springs without issue including myself..Its all over NAM just search for FSDs

 

H-sports with FSDs and no problems

 

I realize that many people rund FSD's with H-sports, but my question was in response to Chad's comment that these should not be used and that this was a change from what was stated on his website. So, in addition to wondering what issues Chad has run into, why not explore other options?

 

It's apparently true that many have run FSDs WITH springs that lower an inch or less. Most, it seems, with a .5"-.75" drop, and have had little or no problems. I have the FSDs with the '04 "sport" stock springs, though, and love it. I dumped the run-flats, though, and am glad I did. The ride and handling are SOOO much better that OEM. Before I added the FSDs, I had run an Alta adjustable 19mm rr anti-sway set up at the stiffest setting. More recently, I added adjustable Camber plates and rr H-sport lower control arms, for just a smidge more neg camber in the rear, and about -1.8 in the front. Lovin' it.